What soil does Flowering almond grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy.

Is Flowering almond hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Flowering almond be planted?

Plant it at least 3.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Flowering almond need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Flowering almond

Prunus triloba

Flowering almond (Prunus triloba) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium.

Illustration of Flowering almond — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

In spring, before the leaves open, the bare stems are packed with double pink flowers like tiny roses, and few shrubs put on a bigger show. It is mostly sold grafted on a stem as a small round-headed tree, which suits front gardens and large pots, but after its two or three weeks of bloom it is plain for the rest of the year. Plant it in a sunny, airy spot with well-drained soil and cut the flowered shoots back hard every year straight after flowering, or Monilia blight will soon ruin it.

Watch out for

Its main problem is Monilia blossom and shoot blight: in cool, wet weather at flowering time the flowers suddenly turn brown, then the shoot tips wither, and the dead parts stay on the plant and reinfect it year after year. In Central Europe it is common in rainy springs, and a plant infected several years running weakens and dies within a few years. The defence is pruning: straight after flowering cut all flowered shoots back to short stubs and remove diseased wood well into healthy tissue, then destroy the prunings. Late spring frost can also take the early flowers. It is short-lived in any case, and aphids, scale, leaf spot and powdery mildew occur.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, pink

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1.5–4.5 m × 1.5–4.5 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, pink
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 3.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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